4/16: Clinton with Majority Support against GOP Hopefuls

If Hillary Clinton were to enter the presidential contest, she would be the front-runner with a strong lead against her possible Republican rivals. Her closest opponent, Paul Ryan, trails Clinton by 8 percentage points among registered voters nationally. Clinton outpaces her other potential GOP rivals by double digits.

“Hillary Clinton is very popular among Democrats and may have smooth sailing to the Democratic nomination,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “She currently dominates a crowded Republican field and continues to break 50% against each of her possible GOP rivals.”

51% support Clinton compared with 43% for Ryan. Five percent are undecided. Clinton — 52% — led Ryan — 44% — by the same margin in February’s McClatchy-Marist Poll. Four percent, at that time, were undecided.

Against Chris Christie, Clinton receives 53% to 42% for Christie. Five percent are undecided. However, Clinton outpaced Christie by 21 percentage points in February. At that time, 58% of registered voters, then, backed Clinton while 37% supported Christie. Six percent were undecided.

53% of voters support Clinton while 40% are behind Mike Huckabee. Six percent are undecided. When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question, 55% were for Clinton while 41% were behind Huckabee. Four percent, at that time, were undecided.

Clinton — 54% — also has the advantage against Rand Paul — 40%. Six percent are undecided. In that previous McClatchy-Marist Poll, 58% were for Clinton while 38% were for Paul. Four percent, at that time, were undecided.

When matched against Jeb Bush, Clinton leads Bush, 55% to 39%. Six percent are undecided. In February, Clinton received 58% to 38% for Bush. Four percent were undecided.

Clinton garners 54% to 38% for Marco Rubio. Eight percent are undecided. When McClatchy-Marist last reported this question, 58% of voters supported Clinton while 37% backed Rubio. Four percent were undecided.

52% of registered voters nationally have a positive opinion of Clinton, including 81% of Democrats. 43% have an unfavorable view of her, including 78% of Republicans. Five percent have either never heard of Clinton or are unsure how to rate her. Independent voters divide. 49% of these voters like Hillary Clinton and 46% do not. There has been no change on this question since February when identical proportions of registered voters had these views. 52%, at that time, thought well of Clinton, 43% had an unfavorable opinion of her, and 5% had either never heard of her or were unsure how to rate her.

Voters’ impressions of Christie and Bush are upside down. 44% of voters have a negative view of Christie while 36% have a positive impression of him. One in five — 20% — has either never heard of him or are unsure how to rate him. Two months ago, 46% had an unfavorable opinion of Christie, and 33% thought well of him. 21% had either never heard of Christie or were unsure how to rate him.

Looking at Bush’s favorable rating, 42% have an unfavorable impression of him. However, 31% like Bush. 27% have either never heard of Jeb Bush or are unsure how to rate him.

Close to two-thirds of registered voters — 65% — have either never heard of Scarborough or are unsure how to rate him. 21% have a negative view of the former congressman and morning show host while 14% have a positive impression of Scarborough.

None of the potential Republican contenders for president has emerged as the front-runner. 2016 for the GOP is an open contest with no one having established an early advantage.

Among Republicans nationally including Republican leaning independents, here is how the contest for the 2016 Republican nomination stands:

13% Mike Huckabee

13% Jeb Bush

12% Rand Paul

12% Chris Christie

12% Paul Ryan

7% Marco Rubio

5% Scott Walker

4% Ted Cruz

4% Bobby Jindal

3% Rick Santorum

3% Rick Perry

<1% John Kasich

14% undecided

In February’s McClatchy-Marist Poll, Christie and Huckabee each received the support of 13% of Republicans and Republican leaning independents. 12% backed Rubio while 9% were for Paul. Another 9% supported Ryan. Bush and Sarah Palin each garnered the support of 8% of Republicans. Seven percent were behind Walker, and 5% backed Cruz. Perry and Santorum each had 2%, and Kasich garnered 1%. 12%, at that time, were undecided.